Muslim Studies Minors

Ongoing world events have sparked an acute interest in the study of Muslim societies. The Institute for the Study of Muslim Societies & Civilizations within the Pardee School of Global Studies desires to foster a better understanding of those societies and to preserve their diverse heritage through an interdisciplinary approach that exposes students to Muslim societies’ historical, religious, anthropological, political, linguistic, and cultural characteristics.

Members of the College of Arts & Sciences humanities and social science faculty offer a broad range of courses focusing on the Muslim societies and civilizations of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In addition, they offer two undergraduate minors under Pardee School auspices: Muslim Cultures (HU) and Muslim Societies (SS). Available to students in any of BU’s four-year undergraduate schools and colleges, both minors can prepare post-baccalaureate students for careers in anthropology, archaeology, history, art and literature, health, and diplomacy. For complete descriptions of the courses listed below, refer to the Courses portion of this Bulletin or visit the Institute for the Study of Muslim Societies & Civilizations.

Minor in Muslim Cultures

Students must earn grades of C or better in six courses chosen from a combination of required and elective coursework. Required are one course in religion (CAS RN 214, 338/638, 340, 341, 344, 345, 346 E, or 347), one course in the humanities (CAS AH 220, 313, 314, LY 281, 282, 283, 284, 341, 350 , LT 218, LZ 280, LZ 281, XL 223, 315, or pertinent versions of variable topics course WS 305), and one language course numbered 212 or higher in Arabic (LY), Persian (LZ), or Turkish (LT). Students choose three additional courses that reflect their interests and course of study. Two of these additional courses must be taken from an approved list of humanities (HU) electives; one course must be taken from an approved list of social science (SS) electives. For a current list of approved courses, consult the institute’s website, or its director, Professor Betty Anderson.

Minor in Muslim Societies

Students must earn grades of C or better in six courses chosen from a combination of required and elective coursework. Required are one course in religion (CAS RN 214, 338/638, 340, 341, 344, 345, 346 E, or 347) and one social science course (CAS AN 317, 319, 320, 360, HI 392, 393, or IR 328, 382, 383, 503, 507, or 587). Students choose four additional courses that reflect their interests and course of study. Three of these additional courses must be taken from an approved list of social sciences (SS) electives; one course must be taken from an approved list of humanities (HU) electives. For a current list of approved courses, consult the institute’s website, or its director, Professor Betty Anderson. Students pursuing the minor in Muslim Societies are strongly encouraged to begin or continue the study of Arabic, Persian, or Turkish. A course in one of these languages numbered 212 or higher can be used as the humanities elective for this minor.